1808 Half Eagle (1808 $5) NGC MS63. BD-3, R-4. Early Half Eagle. This early date mint state 1808 Half Eagle shimmers with bright mint luster in protected areas. It is tied for third finest at NGC. The sharp strike is seen in the full details of the centers of the stars, the strands of Libertys hair, the shield, and the lower left of the eagle. The dentils are full on both sides and there are no adjustment marks. In fact the surfaces are so clean and free of distractions, it is hard to determine why the coin didnt grade a few points higher. Although not noted on the holder, the coin was struck from slightly rotated dies.

The Capped Bust Left Half Eagle was designed by John Reich and minted from 1807 to 1812. The obverse shows a bust of Liberty in profile facing left wearing a LIBERTY inscribed cap that was intended to represent a Phrygian cap. There are seven six-pointed stars to the left of Liberty and six to the right. Dentils are at the periphery of both sides of the coin. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with wings upright and head turned to the left. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc, interrupted by the wing tips, around the coin near the dentils. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is on a curved banner above the eagles head. The denomination written as 5 D. is below.

Reich also corrected Scots mistake in heraldry. Scot had placed the arrows in the eagles right talon and the olive branch in the left. This symbolism is a reversal of these two items and is an inaccurate modification of the Great Seal of the United States. The arrows in the right claw suggest extreme militarism, not the message a young country should want to give on its coinage. Reich corrected the error by placing the olive branch, symbol of peace, in the right claw and the arrows in the left.

When asked in 1825 about the proper emblem of Liberty for our coins, Thomas Jefferson responded that the Phrygian cap was not an appropriate symbol of freedom for the United States of America because we were never slaves. The Phrygian cap was worn by freed gladiators and slaves in Roman times to cover their short hair or shaved heads. However, the cap remained as part of the design on gold coins until it was replaced in 1834. It continued in use on half dollars until mid-1839 and on small silver coins until 1837-38. It was carried on a pole on silver coins smaller than the dollar until 1891, and worn again by Liberty on Mercury dimes until 1945 and Walking Liberty half dollars until 1947.

Johann Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver at the Mint. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.

In 1807, Reich was promoted to the position of Assistant or Second Engraver by Robert Patterson, the new Mint Director. Jefferson had urged Patterson to make this promotion because Scots eyesight was failing him. The promotion was timely because Reich was considering returning to Europe out of boredom with the menial tasks he had been assigned. Immediately Patterson assigned Reich the task of redesigning the nations coinage. He began with the half eagle and the half dollar, the two most important coins for commerce.

Reich put the denomination of the gold and silver coins. This innovation had not been done previously because coins, especially in Europe, were valued for their metallic content and weight. By 1815 Reich had created a set of circulating coins with the common capped liberty obverse. In 1813 Reich modified the half eagle to become what is called the Capped Head design. Some contemporary critic called the bust of Liberty Reichs fat German mistress.

After working for ten years as Assistant Engraver at the mint, Reich resigned in 1817. He had received no pay raise or promotion and little praise from Robert Scot. Scot remained the Chief Engraver until his death in 1823.

Researchers estimate that 10,000 to 15,000 half eagle1808 BD-3 pieces were minted. The variety has been designated an R4, meaning that 100 to 125 coins are known to exist in all grades today. The consensus report at NGC does not differentiate the BD varieties for this date. In combination their population report shows 27 in MS63 with 19 better.